Shoe last



Oct. 30, 1962 G. J. PONCE 3,060,470

SHOE LAST Filed Jan. 26, 1962 14 34 36 32 I w ,2 /a 4 36/ 2524 2 2 36 lM/ENTOR" GERALD J P0 ucz,

HTTORA/EYS United dtates The present invention relates generally to the shoe art, and more particularly to a novel shoe last incorporating novel heel plate construction.

There has long existed the problem in shoe making in properly positioning the rear or heel portion of the insole in the lasting operation. This problem has become more acute since the introduction of celastic and plastic counters which need not be preformed. The problem is more serious in respect to ladies shoes, since normally they are generally of lighter over-all construction, but it exists in respect to mens and childrens shoes as well. When the rear portion of the insole is lasted out of alignment, a portion thereof may be trapped in the area of the upper which is unsightly and may be quite uncomfortable in extreme situations. A crease may shadow through to the outside of the shoe, thereby rendering the shoe defective and unsalable as a first line item.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel shoe last construction which solves the foregoing long existing problem and supplies the need.

in brief, the present novel shoe last in a preferred embodiment incorporates the usual last body and a heel plate flanged outwardly along the sides and rear, there being no flange across the front. The height of the flange is about equal to the thickness of an average heel portion of an insole. The flange substantially follows the sides and rear of the last and is of a configuration to receive the rear portion of an insole. The heel plate is of substantial thickness, the bottom of the heel portion of the last being cut away to receive it. The sides and rear of the plate are formed to follow and duplicate the natural curve of the sides and rear of the last, thereby obviating any suggestion of a break between the last material and the plate. This is quite clear from the drawing.

Hence, another object is to provide a novel shoe last which incorporates a flange around the heel area for centering the rear portion of an insole while being lasted.

Another object is to provide a novel shoe last which incorporates a heel plate construction for locating properly the rear portion of the insole and a counter while being lasted.

Another object is to provide a novel shoe last incorporating a heel plate which is constructed to form continuations of the sides and rear of the last, thereby eliminating a break at the juncture of the plate and last.

Another object is to provide a novel shoe last incorporating means for centering the rear portion of an insole during lasting which blends with the sides and rear of the last, which is inexpensive, durable, highly effective for its intended purpose, and readily usable by the factory shoe Worker.

Another object is to provide a novel method of lasting by means of which proper positioning or locating of the rear portion of the insole is achieved and crease shadows visible to the outside of the shoe upper are eliminated.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe last cut at the heel area to receive a heel plate constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the rear portion of the last of FIGURE l with the novel plate attached thereto;

atettt ice FIGURE 3 is an enlarged bottom structure of FIGURE 2;

FiGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical, longitudinal crosssectional view taken on substantially the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FiGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical, transverse, crosssectional view taken on substantially the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, further enlarged, vertical, transverse view taken on substantially the line 66 of FIGURE 3. 7

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, 1t) indicates generally a shoe last embodying the features of the present invention. The last 10 includes a front portion 12, a heel portion 14 which is pivotally associated at 16 with the front portion 12 in the customary manner, and a heel plate 13 of anodized aluminum or other suitable material. It will be observed from FIGURES l and 4 that the bottom of the heel portion 14 is cut away to a substantial depth, preferably being three-eighths inch, to receive the heel plate 18.

The heel plate 18 includes a relatively thick main body portion 29 and an outwardly directed flange 22 around the sides and rear of the bottom of the plate 18, as is clear from the drawing. The main body portion 20 is of substantially the configuration over all of the material cut away from the bottom of the heel portion 14. This is apparent from FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. Sides 24 and 26 of the main body portion 20 form unbroken continuations of sides 28 and 3%, respectively, of the heel portion 14. Similarly, rear wall 32 of the main body portion 20 is a continuation of rear wall 34 of the heel portion 14. There is no break at the juncture of the respective Walls of the main body portion 2@ and the heel portion 14. There is a smooth continuity along both sides and the rear. Suitable nails 36 maintain the heel plate 1% in position against the bottom of the heel portion 14.

The flange 22 is formed to receive the heel portion of an insole, thus positioning the insole during lasting of the upper with which the insole becomes associated. There is no interference by the flange 22 in lasting, since it is of a height substantially equal to the average height of the rear portion of an insole.

The heel plate 18 is illustrated as of uniform thickness in the main body portion 20. If desired, this may be changed in the interior area, that is, the sides 24 and 26 and the rear wall 32 should be of substantial depth, but the interior portion may be of lesser depth, in which event the last will be cut accordingly. The interior portion need but be thick enough to provide a sturdy plate. The heel plate 18, of course, may take other shapes, for example, a horseshoe form. The important feature is to maintain the sides 24 and 26 and the rear wall 32 of plan view of the the plate 18 in relation to the sides 28 and 30 and rear the last after activating. However, it is highly desirable and finds excellent use with counters of leather, fibre, or the like.

It is clear that there has been provided a novel shoe last and a method of aligning or positioning the rear portion of an insole which fulfill the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements or steps, and rearrangement of parts or steps, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims Which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a shoe last including a front portion and a heel portion operatively connected as a unit, said heel portion being cut away on the bottom to receive a heel plate, and a heel plate secured to the bottom of said heel portion, said heel plate including outwardly directed flange means to receive the heel portion of an insole during lasting, said heel plate being of substantial depth at least along the sides and rear, said sides and rear of said heel portion and and said sides and rear of said heel plate, respectively, merging as a continuous curve on any selected vertical section therethrough.

2. -In combination, a shoe last including a front portion and a heel portion operatively connected as a unit, said heel portion being cut away on the bottom to re ceive a heel plate, said cut-away at least adjacent the sides and rear being of a depth of substantially threeeights of an inch, and a heel plate secured to the bottom of said heel portion, said heel plate including outwardly directed flange means to receive the heel portion of an insole during lasting, said heel plate being of substantial depth at least along the sides and rear, said sides and rear of said heel portion and said sides and rear of said heel plate, respectively, merging as a continuous curve on any selected vertical section therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,112 Ayers Sept. 6, 1938 

